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Feast Of Holy Etchmiadzin – Episcopal Divine Liturgy At St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church Of Holywood

By June 4, 2024June 20th, 2024No Comments

– “CHRIST IS THE ARCHITECT OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH”
H.E. ARCHBISHOP KEGHAM KHACHERIAN, PRELATE

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered sermon at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of Hollywood.

Upon his arrival at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian was warmly welcomed by Archpriest Father Vicken Vassilian, Pastor of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, and members of the Board of Trustees. Following the traditional blessing of bread and salt, the Prelate proceeded into the church accompanied by scouts.

The pastor of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church, deacons and scribes served the altar. Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, Chairman of the Western Prelacy Executive Council, Mr. Mher Der Ohanessian, Vice-Chairman of the Western Prelacy Executive Council, Mrs. Dzovig Zetlian, Member of the Executive Council, along with Mr. Gaidzag Zetlian, Central Executive Member, and representatives of organizations and faithful parishioners attended the Episcopal Divine Liturgy.

H.E. Archbishop Khacherian had selected the following lines from a hymn as the main focus of his sermon, “I saw the great light, Patriarch St. Gregory joyously recounted to the faithful king.” Having these lines in mind, the Prelate stated that the architect of the Armenian Church is Christ himself, because Christ descended from heaven with a hammer in his hand, to show the father of our faith, St. Gregory the Illuminator the location where the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin was to be built. H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian recounted how St. Gregory the Illuminator, King Dertad III, and the people worked together to construct the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian emphasized, “The Armenian church has been a significance presence in the lives or our people for centuries. The Armenian Church has served as a unifying anchor and a source of inspiration for the struggles and progression of our people. The church has not only been a place of worship, but also a source of spiritual and intellectual growth of our national foundation. The Armenian church has been and continues to be today, the faithful guardian of our indestructible national wealth and a central pillar that embraces our national unity.” The Prelate encouraged those in attendance to follow the exemplary cooperation between St. Gregory the Illuminator and King Derdat, in order to preserve our national unity symbolized by the Armenian church.

Following the Divine Liturgy, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian presided over a luncheon at Karapetian Hall of St. Garabed Armenian Church in his honor. In a warm and intimate atmosphere, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian interacted with members and representatives of local community organizations and graciously received their congratulations and heartfelt well-wishes.

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